The Prodigal Father (bust)

Then Jesus said, “There was once a man who had two sons.” The younger said to his Father, “I want right now what’s coming to me.” So the father gave him his inheritance. He left for a distant land, undisciplined, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine in the country and he began to hurt. That brought him to his senses. He said, “All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I’m going back to my father.” When he was a way off, his father saw him. He ran out and embraced him. The son said “Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.” The father said, “Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. My son is here, given up for dead and now alive. He was lost but now he is found.” Paraphrase. Luke 15

Delesprie was commissioned by The Crystal Cathedral (now Christ Cathedral) to sculpt this heroic sized monument inspired by the message of a father’s unconditional love and forgiveness toward his wayward son.

Tears of sorrow and repentance flow freely down the son’s face, too long held back from pride as he grasps his father’s neck. The Father, too, is weeping, It is evident his tears fall from joy. By his command, the lost son will be arrayed by days end.

This is not a time to berate his willful child for squandering his inheritance. The father is a representation of our own Heavenly Father, he is most concerned about restored relationships. After all, his son was lost, and is now found; was dead, and now is alive.